Immerse yourself in this week-long event, showcasing seven Emirati artists.
Dubai is always up to something, and now it’s treating you to yet another cultural festival. Dhai Dubai, an Emirati-led light art festival, will present a one-week spectacle at Expo City Dubai from 12 to 18 November. The event promises a dazzling celebration of Emirati art and culture, showcased through captivating light installations, interactive experiences, talks, and workshops.
Visitors to Dhai Dubai can immerse themselves in the larger-than-life light art installations created by prominent Emirati artists. One of the highlights will be the projections on Al Wasl Plaza’s iconic dome, where the dome becomes a canvas.
Curated by Amna Abulhoul and Anthony Bastic AM, this year’s exhibition unveils new commissions from three generations of Emirati creatives, each exploring light as a cultural force and a symbol rooted in local tradition.
The lineup brings distinct voices into conversation. Fatma Lootah, the seminal Emirati artist, known for her emotive abstraction and performance, is Dubai-born and Verona-based. She has shown her work everywhere from Times Square to her House 35 studio in Al Fahidi.
Mohammed Kazem, a member of “The Five,” translates sound and light through video, photography and performance, and represented the UAE at the 2013 Venice Biennale.
Jewellery designer Alia Bin Omair blends heritage with contemporary craft and found objects, creating award-winning pieces made in the UAE.
Khalid Al Banna pioneers textile collage and minimalist sculpture to examine identity and urban change, and created Dubai’s Union Monument; his works sit in major regional collections.
Architect and designer AlZaina Lootah shapes narrative-led spaces that bridge heritage with modernity. Ahmad AlAreef, a multidisciplinary artist, renders Emirati oral histories into contemporary visual language through photography, painting and sculpture.
Designer Hessa Alghandi reimagines cultural memory across interiors and objects, leading Hessa Archives and collaborating with brands including Adidas.
This year, the exhibition evolves beyond the gallery walls with an engaging programme of artist talks and public dialogues at the newly opened House of Arts. As Expo City’s latest cultural venue, it serves as a platform for regional creativity and expression. Visitors can expect not only to leave with fresh perspectives but also to connect with fellow artists and cultural voices from across the region, making it as much a space for dialogue as for discovery.
In a significant humanitarian collaboration, Dhai Dubai has partnered with Liter of Light to provide high-quality solar lighting to challenged communities. Festival-goers have the opportunity to contribute to Liter of Light’s mission in communities across the Philippines, Kenya, Cameroon, and India.
Speaking on the announcement of Dhai Dubai, Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, described the exhibition as an “important moment on our annual calendar.” She explained, “It invites visitors to explore the role of art in connecting people, discover the creatives shaping our public spaces, and experience how the city’s diversity is brought to life through innovative installations. In doing so, Dhai Dubai demonstrates the forward-thinking approach of Emirati talent, whose work keeps pace with global trends in contemporary art.”
Dhai Dubai Festival invites visitors to immerse themselves in a radiant celebration of Emirati art and culture, where light becomes a language of creativity and storytelling. So grab your tickets now and witness art and illumination converge.
GO: Visit www.dhaidubai.com for more information.